Whisper Gatherers (10 page)

“But…”

“It will be but the once. I have been assured. Please agree so that you can come home.”

There was a quivering in her voice and I knew that other matters pressed heavily upon her. Loath as I was to do such a thing, I had no choice. To be decontaminated was not something to relish. When they decided that Deogol was indeed a Meek, he was still just a kiddle, but they took him away to ‘cure’ his strange ways. When he came back, he was not the bro I remembered. To this day, he awakens with evil nightdreams about what was done to him. I put aside my horror and disgust. “I will do this, but I will not do it gladly.”

“I am pleased that you have chosen to comply. I will come for you now.”

“Will not Orva or Dreng release me?”

“No, they are attending to other matters, but will join us later. Ready yourself Addy.”

“I will Santy.” I switched off the comdevice. I looked at the stuff Orva had left and wondered if both she and Dreng were being punished in some way for keeping the Praisebees hostage in the cavern. But the fact that I was free again pushed back such wonderings. I waited most anxiously for Santy to come.

The wait was not long. Before the coldness could creep throughout my bod, I heard the hatch open. Santy Breanna stood before me. I ran to her and she bundled me up in her arms. I felt her warm, wet tears on my neck and pulled away. She wiped her eyes quickly. “Come let us go. I dare say you will glad to be rid of this confining and dreary place.”

It was a sun-drenched day that greeted us when we dropped down from the container. I sucked in a lungful of air and gagged. There was an unpleasant smell not present when I went in. I thought it came from the wastebins, but they were sealed tight so no pong could escape. I raised my nose and sniffed.

“Ah yes, the smell. That would be the burning of the Praisebee’s clothing. Sheriff Fychan thought it would be a moral booster to publicly incinerate their garments. A gesture to say that they are at the mercy of Citydwellers I dare say. Come let us slip back unnoticed. Are you up to a slight diversion?”

With a nod, Santy bounded off in the direction of the border fence. I followed quickly and we came to a halt by one of the City perimeters. A guard dressed in a black all-in-one thwack proof uniform, waved his zapgun at us. Santy waved back and to my astonishment, walked straight past him, through an open gate, into the Wilderness.

Pausing for a sec, I blinked away some lingering sleep gunge, then joined her at the other side of the fence. She beckoned for me to come to her, then whispered into my ear, “We are to skirt round to the main entrance. This way no one will discover the S.A.N.T. hideout. Do not worry about the guards, they were S.A.N.T.S. once and were under my command before I left to care for you and your bro.”

I turned my head and took in my first proper look at the Wilderness. Trees, bushes, brambles and all sorts of greenery growing wild, anywhere they liked. So different from the puny bits of verdure that struggled to survive in the sterile atmosphere of Cityplace.

The smell in this abundant place was both sweet and pungent. I did not sneeze as I sucked in the damp leaf aroma. Feeling at home amongst the greenery, I fell to my knees to better sniff the rotting wood and musky fungus scents. Digging my mitts into the earth, I squeezed the soil between my fingers. Santy tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a wipe. I rose reluctantly and cleaned the cloying dirt from my tingling hands. “Santy, may we go deeper into this forest?”

“We must get back Addy, I am concerned for Deogol.”

“Oh, right, yeah, sorry. Let us be swift then.”

Santy ran on ahead and I kept up with her. For one of her advancing years, she was as quick as any juve I knew. She leapt over fallen twigs, sidestepping deep holes with such expertise, that I forgot she was my Santy for a sec and thought of her as the Backpacker she used to be. I made sure I stepped where she did for fear of tumbling upon something on the ground. I was not dressed for such a caper though and my feet began to throb. The shoes I wore were best suited for accessorising indoor garb, rather than being a buffer from the thorns and stones that littered the Wilderness’s floor.

We pushed our way through some dense foliage. The outpost gate to the main City entrance came into view and we slowed our pace. Santy took a spyglass from her backpack. After looking through it for no more than a sec, she pinched her thumb and index finger together, put them in her mouth and blew. It was a piercing whistle that caused the border guard to turn his attention in our direction. Santy waved her arms in the air in a series of elaborate gestures and was answered by said guard making the same movements back. We walked stealthily to the gate, past the guard, who nodded his head. “Welcome back, Catcher of Birds.”

Santy walked on ahead. The place was full of folk. They lined either side of the plaza as though awaiting some great event. When I came full into the square, a roar blasted from the crowd. Arms were raised and voices sang out my name, “Adara, Adara, Adara,” they chanted and I clung to Santy Breanna not knowing what to make of such a spectacle.

Chapter Twelve
 

Treated Like Royalty

Mayor Eldwyn, a short white-haired oldie, (one of the few ancients allowed to roam free and live out of the Goldenagehome complex) stepped forward and offered me his wrinkled hand. Santy unpeeled my fingers from around her waist and pushed me forward. I gave his mitt a goodly grip, then smiled a bit as he winced when I vigorously shook it. I let go and he rubbed his knuckles. “Adara, welcome back from wherever it was you have been. Since you are here, I assume your Santy has filled you in with our wishes?”

“Yep, but know that I do your bidding because I fear the consequences if I do not. I am unhappy with what you want me to do, for I am concerned it will ignite the urges in those who may be weak for a taste of flesh, but do it I will.”

He leant forward. In a low hoarse voice he said, “I too am unhappy with the decision so have instructed all not to touch any of the birdles, should the chance occur.” He stood upright and addressed the crowd, “Cityfolk, we have our beloved Adara back.”

What? Since when have I been ‘beloved’? I looked at the beaming crowd and could not believe that all smiles were for me. Even Drysi and Hypra gave me a friendly grin. My noggin swam with the strangeness of it all.

Mayor Eldwyn continued, “She has agreed to bring the birdies for all to see so that we may delight in their presence and bathe in the sweet twitterings that cheer the soul and mind. But be warned. Those who have a desire to indulge in fleshy cravings will be dealt with most severely. The ceremony is one of joy. A celebration of our endurance through great adversity. It may be that the gathering of the birdybirds will bring the Carnies slavering to our gates. But we are prepared and they shall not enter. Know that Adara will do this but the once, so do not attempt to harass her further. If any are found to be doing so, they will be placed in the filth hole for two moonrises.”

There was a mass gasp.

“As for the Praisebees, they will be judged and sentenced at sunup.” A loud booing ensued followed by many mean words meant for Praisbee ears alone. “Adara shall spend her time until the praising day honing her skills and making ready.”

“I will?”

“Indeed little fem, your Santy made us aware of your incompetence at said task. Also, your failed attempt that panicked so many is proof you need to refine your warblings.”

I could not argue with him as I was inexperienced. I shrugged. He put his arm around my shoulders. “You will go without any fuss. A Lady is waiting for you. She will dress you for the occasion and groom you so you look your best. You will stay in the Authority Homes for that period of time. If you require any special treats, you need only ask, they shall be provided.”

“What? I am to be primped by a Lady?” I’d heard of said fems. Although rumours abounded of their secret comings and goings around the wealthier parts of Cityplace, I did not know of anyone who had actually seen one in the flesh. My body reacted to the news with a full on sweat attack. I turned to Santy.

She shook her head then smiled. “You must comply with their wishes. I am as surprised as you at this turn of events. I would rather you were home with Deogol and me.”

The mayor took my hand. “Come, do not look so sad, you are to stay in the best accommodation in all of Cityplace. You shall be made into a fine Lady when said fem has finished with you.”

I pulled myself free of his flimsy grip. “Nah, nadder, no ta. My lifeplan is to become a S.A.N.T. end of. If you were to give me an honest look, you would not even contemplate the notion of forcing me to be what I am not and cannot be.” As soon as I uttered these words I remembered Deogol saying a similar thing when Santy suggested he join us on a camping trip. A feeling of dread filled my guts and I became unstable. Santy steadied me. I calmed enough to say, “That is that. Send the good Lady home.”

Mayor Eldwyn scratched his thin hair. “So be it, Adara.”

“Also, may I please be allowed to go home?”

“Well, you have your Santy and other guards have been appointed, so, yes, you can return home.”

I sighed a deep sigh of relief. Then again when I saw two familiar faces. The mayor greeted them with a wide grin. “Ah, here are your escorts Adara. I believe you have already met. They will attend to your needs and take you to the City borders where you shall spend your time practising your art. They will be your personal guards, so that none shall attempt to molest or abduct you whilst you work.”

“Hi Orva, Dreng.”

They nodded and stood either side of me.

A group of musicians stepped from the crowd. They played a sombre tune that made the crowd lower their heads. Several drums beat a slow rhythm, whilst violentins and fluttles rose and fell with almost tearful notes. After a few secs of this mournful melody, I found myself wiping away a spot of wet from the corner of my eye. A profound coughing and shuffling of feet was heard. Mayor Eldwyn raised his hands. They stopped. “Let us hear a jaunty song to play whilst Adara parades through our square to her home.”

Ah no. I was to be put on display for all to see. Aware of my tattiness and lack of clean, I did not relish the prospect and turned to Santy Breanna. “Is there any way I can be spared this embarrassment?”

“I think not. All eyes are indeed on you Addy. Square your shoulders, lift your chin. Flaunt your imperfection. This is your day and no mistake. I will be right behind you.”

She touched my cheek, frowned and pulled a Steriwipe from her pocket. I took it, turned away from the throng so as to give my face a goodly wash. Santy patted down my unruly, short hair, then twiddled me round. Mayor Eldwyn waved to the assembled folk. “Make noise with your mouths, hands and feet, in praise of Adara - Catcher of Birds!”

A great roar rose from the crowd. This time, the musicians played a quick-time jig. The trumplets and fluttles sending forth high notes that quite frankly hurt my ears. The mayor took my hand and led me forward. The music faded as the drummer struck up a solemn beat. Santy stood to my right and Mayor Eldwyn gave me a slight push. “Go before the rabble riot.”

I straightened my spine, threw back my shoulders and walked steadily through the plaza. The band followed, so too the crowd. All was a cacophony of discordant notes from instruments and voices. I wanted to put my hands over my lugholes to dampen the hideous din and leg it fast home, but knew I could not.

Orva and Dreng strode in front and pushed away the occasional folk that tried to touch me. How I became an icon so quickly was baffling. Not so long ago Drysi and Hrypa were humiliating me in front of one and all. Now? Now I was being cheered and revered. I strained my neck to see if any familiar faces were there. “Where is Greatgrangran?”

Santy leaned forward. “I have left her with Deogol. She is fierce when she wants to be. Easily able to keep him from going out and getting lost again.”

“What? What is this about Deogol getting lost?”

“Never mind all that, carry on walking. I will fill you in with what’s what when we are home.”

She stood straight and waved to the onlookers. As I followed a humungous rapture-filled shrieking erupted. Huffin’ hell, how folk can change and become as one when forced together. I became uneasy at the wild-eyed expressions on their faces and hurried my pace to keep up with the S.A.N.T.S. ahead. The mayor trotted up beside me. “Too many wanting to grab a piece of you. Good that you will be out of the plaza soon.”

Orva and Dreng pushed a path through the gathered folk. I hurried through the gap. As I did, I felt many hands touch my arms and head. My heart pounded and I began to breathe all-quick like. When the crowd began to close in and paw at my clothes as if to rip pieces off by way of a souvenir, Santy whistled. Orva and Dreng whipped out a dispersal grenade and threw it into the air. The red disc twirled most rapidly before exploding with a loudly shriek.

The crowd moved away as the ear-piercing siren continued. Mayor Eldwyn, hands over his ears like the rest of us, nodded and walked rapidly in the direction of his top-notch accommodation in the swanky Authority Homes. A part of me regretted not taking him up on his offer of a stay in the grand place, but I yearned to see Deogol again. A thing I did not normally do, but I could not get an image of him out of my thoughts. Why I should be so antsi over my bro so suddenly, I could not tell. Santy, all squint of eye, chin gestured for me to carry on walking and I did, most quickly.

What a wonder the grenade was. The sound it emitted was so unpleasant that within a few secs my adoring public were nowhere to be seen. Finally, the horrible noise faded and I freed my lugholes of the fingers I’d inserted to quell the din. “Wow Santy, that is a powerful weapon.”

“Indeed. Shame we have so few at our disposal. Once we could order them direct from the Agros, but no more. They have cut off all communication with S.A.N.T.S.”

“What is their plan?”

“This we do not know.”

I felt all squirmy inside and was glad to see the shinning shape of Puritytowers not too far in the distance. The sickly feel grew stronger. I grimaced at the fact the reddiness would soon be upon me.